Power Postulates and Hypotheses

Power “ The act of men going about the business of moving other men to act.”

Postulate is a self evident truth.

Hunter’s statement about power1. Power involves relationship

between individuals and groups, both controlled and controlling.

“ Because power involves relationship, it can be described structurally.”

Hunter’s statement about power

2. Power is structured socially, into individual relationship between government and economic authorities on national, state and local levels.“Both types of authorities may have functional, social, and institutional power units subsidiary to them.”

Hunter’s statement about power3. Power is relatively constant factor in social relationship with policies as variables.“Wealth, social status and prestige are factors in the “no live constant”.”

Hunter’s statement about power

4. Power of the individual must be structured into associational, institutional patterns to be effective.“The community provides a microcosm of organization relations in which individuals exercise the maximum influence.”

Power Validated Hypotheses

1. He also pint out an interesting fact that behind the power are smaller group of men who frame the policy for the exert power.

2. Power is exercised as necessary function in social relationships. Exercise of power is limited and directed by the formulation and special policy within the a framework of social sanctioned authority.

3. In given power unit(organization) a smaller number of individual will be found formulating and extending policy than those exercising power.

Categories of Power 1.Historical 2.Reference3.Motivation

Three types of power :1.Force - coercion or

compulsion, especially with the use or threat of violence.

2.Dominant - exhibiting powerful or controlling tendencies

3.Manipulation - control or influence (a person or situation) cleverly, unfairly, or unscrupulously.

How Diagnose Power Structure?

If an analysis of power structure is undertaken while the community is under stress, more harm than good might result. Proper timing is essential to the success of any of the following techniques.

Techniques # 1. Outside Survey GroupSuperintendent a desired a list of the power holders in his community. He and the board of education is in the process of forming a citizens committee to study an aspect of the school program. Although he has been in a community for a years and felt he knew the community structure fairly well, he wanted to check his knowledge. The students will take a survey in the community and ask some questions made by the superintendent.

Some questions to ask:1.Would you please name the

people whom you consider to be a community leader.

2.If you wanted to bring about change in the community to whom would you talk to?

3.Do you consider the superintendent of school to be community leader?

This method has the advantage of having trained interviews collecting data and trained professional analyze the data.It also provide the superintendent with reliable objective data.

Techniques # 2Student Reports

This method is very interesting but not validated. Some teachers asking students in fifth and sixth grades to list the people who consider to be community leader. Those school administrators who indicate that they have used it feel has some merit.

Techniques # 3Sociological AnalysisThis type of analysis deals with determining the prestige group s in the community and the leaders of these groups.

The community is divided into 7 distinct social classes.1.The fine old families2.Nouveau riche3.Well to do professional class4.Poor but respectable5.No good6.High prestige7.Most influential

The school administrator can make an analysis of his community as is mentioned through the use of booklet, student status and social class.

The booklet contains “Social Class in the Community” which discuss the characteristics of each class and two methods in determining social class.

There is also a section “The School and Social Class” which indicates how social structure affects classroom.

Power Structures Affect Schools

There are several power structures which influence a school system and we will look at each briefly.

1.State / Province2.Local Community / Town3.The Board of Education4.The School Administrators

State / Province

Behind each school is the power of the state. This is reflected in orderliness of the programs. Behind each local board of education is the state and the rulings the boards makes can be backed up with this repressive power.

Local Community / TownIt more and customs dictate the attitude of teachers toward students, of administrative over teachers, and the atmosphere of the school. The local community can withhold funds or can be very generous. It determines the course of events in the classroom, that is, the extent to which controversial issues will be discussed. Although it does this through its authorities, the board of education, there is always present, though not verbally the power of the community.

The Board of EducationThe source of the power which the board exercises over the staff is generally the state education law and the rules and regulation of the board itself. The power is also resides in some of the members of the board itself. Whose power may also in turn stems from their positions in the community or in some cases, from their personalities.

The School AdministratorsThe school administrators derives his power directly from the board of education. He is “strong” to the degree that the board allows him to use the power which it has by law and by virtue of its position in the community. The administrator is the one who selects teacher from group of candidates and recommends him to the board of educators.